Fuse clip



June 1965 R. E. STURDIVAN 3,192,501

FUSE CLIP Filed May 20. 1963 INVENTOR. REX E. 5TURD/VAN BY /-//5 ATTORNEYS HARE/8, l1 IECH, Russsu. dKEE/V United States Patent 3,192,501 FUSE CLIP Rex E. Sturdivan, Fullerton, Califi, assignor to Zinsco Electrical Products, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed May 20, 1963, Ser. No. 281,636 Claims. (Cl. 339-266) This invention relates to fuse clips and, more particularly, to a new and novel device for connecting a fuse or the like to an electrical conductor or conductors of high load capacity.

Fuse clips are commonly used to removably connect a fuse to cables, bus bars or other electrical conductors. A fuse clip should provide a low resistance connection between the line conductor and the fuse conductor, should operate below a maximum temperature at full load, and should provide mechanical strength for adequately gripping the fuse conductor, while permitting removal of the fuse conductor when desired and preventing removal by accident or by electromagnetic attraction during high load conditions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuse clip which meets these diverse requirements.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a new and novel fuse clip especially suitable for use in high current ratings while providing very low contact resistance. Another object of the invention is to provide a fuse clip to which a fuse may be easily and quickly connected or disconnected. A further object of the invention is to provide a fuse clip wherein the connection etween the fuse clip and the fuse is solid and secure so that the fuse cannot become disconnected during operation. Still another object of the invention is to provide a fuse clip wherein means are provided for ventilation of the connection between the fuse clip and the fuse.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fuse clip for use in holding a fuse or the like and comprising a plurality of conducting plates located in substantially parallel relationship to each other and spaced from each other, with the plates having aligned slots therein for receiving a conductor. A further object is to provide such a structure including a first coupling member fastened to each of the plates on one side of the slot, a second coupling member fastened to each of the plates on the other side of the slot, and means for bringing the coupling members together for clamping a conductor in the slots. An additional object is to provide such a structure in which the coupling mechanism also provides for closing the open end of the slots. A particular object is to provide such a structure in which the coupling members also provide for maintaining the spacing between the parallel conducting plates.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fuse clip for a fuse holder or the like including a plurality of conducting plates disposed in parallel relation with the plates stacked together at one end and disposed in spaced relation at the other end thereof and with the plates having aligned conductor receiving slots at the other ends, means for coupling an electrical conductor to the stacked plates at the one end, and clamping means carried on the plates at each side of the slots for drawing the walls of the slots together and simultaneously closing the open end of the slots.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawing, all of which merely describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top View of the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrating a fuse removably connected between two fuse clips;

PEG. 2 is a side view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a'vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. v

In FIGS. 1 and 2 a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in operation, wherein a fuse 10 is removably positioned between a fuse clip 12 and a similar fuse clip 14. Each fuse clip includes a plurality of conducting plates 18 which provide an electrical connection between the line or load conductors and the conductor bars 16 of the fuse. The number of plates utilized is primarily dependent on the current rating of the clip and three are illustrated herein. This particular number of plates is not essential and more or fewer plates may be used.

Each of the plates 13 is bent at right angles with horizontal portions 2e clamped together and secured to an insulating base 23 by bolts 30, 32. The base 28 may be fixed to any suitable support 34 by bolts 36, 38. The vertical portion 4i? of each plate 13 is substantially parallel to and spaced from the corresponding portion of each of the other plates 18, the spacing preferably being controlled by coupling members 29, 22 fixed thereto.

The plates 18 have aligned slots 42 in the horizontal portions 46 thereof for receiving the fuse bar 16, as is best illustrated in FIG. 4. in the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, one edge 44 of the slots 42 is curved or convex and the other edge 46 is straight.

The coupling members 26 and 22 and a mating coupling bolt 24 provide means for clamping the fuse bar 16 in the plates 18. The coupling member 22, as best illustrated in H6. 3, consists of a looped center portion 56, which is internally threaded, and tabs 52, 54 positioned between the spaced plates 18. The tabs 52, 54 are fastened to the plates 18 by rivets 56, 58, providing a support for the coupling member 22 and also acting as spacers be ween the plates 13. The coupling member 26 is similar to the coupling member 22 and is fastened to the plates 18 in a like manner.

The coupling bolt 24 is threaded at one end 62 and has a central portion d4 of reduced diameter permitting the bolt to slide in the member 22, as is best shown in FIG. 4. The bolt 24 serves the dual purpose of provid ing a means for bringing the coupling members 20 and 22 together and also of providing a stop means or retainer for closing the open end of the plate slots 42. After the fuse bar 16 is inserted in the slots 42 and the coupling bolt 24 is tightened, the fuse bar cannot be moved out of the slots by vibration, electromagnetic attraction or repulsion resulting from high currents, or mechanical impact. Fuse movement is restricted by the central body portion 64 of the coupling bolt 2- In use, the fuse clips 12., 14 may be connected between a line or power source and a load with the fuse 10 completing the circuit. teans are provided on the fuse clip for coupling an electrical conductor thereto. Typically this may comprise one or more cable connectors 66 fixed to the plates 13 by screws as for receiving electrical cables 7d. The clip of the invention is equally suitable for use with other forms of conductors, such as bus bars which may be bolted directly to the plates 18 in the same manner as the cable connectors 66.

The spacing of the plates 13 allows air to circulate between the plates and around the area where the plates come in contact with the fuse bar 16 thereby effectively dissipating heat generated in the conductors and particularly heat generated in the contact resistance of the plates and fuse.

The coupling bolt 24 permits the application of high pressure upon the fuse bar 15, providing a strong mechanical clamping action and low contact resistance.

With high current rating equipment, large variations in current are encountered which cause mechanical vibration. Also, the electromagnetic forces resulting from even steady current tend to push the fuse out of the slots. The strong and secure clamping action of the plates 18 upon the fuse bar 16 and the additional double check of the slot blocking feature of the coupling bolt 24 effectively prevent unintentional removal of the fuse.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated without necessarily departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 claim as my invention:

1. In a fuse clip for use in holding a fuse or the like, the combination of:

a plurality of conducting plates located in substantially parallel relationship to each other and spaced from each other along a fuse axis, said plates having aligned open ended slots therein with the slots dis-- posed to receive a fuse conductor moving perpendicular to said fuse axis;

a first coupling member fastened to each of said plates on one side of said slot;

:1 second coupling member fastened to each. of said plates on the other side of said slot; and

means for bringing said coupling members together clamping the fuse conductor in the slots and closing the open ends thereof.

2. In a fuse clip for a fuse holder or the like, the combination of:

a plurality of conducting plates with an intermediate right-angle bend and stacked together at one end and disposed along a fuse axis in spaced relation at the other end thereof, said plates having aligned open ended slots at said other ends with-the slots disposed to receive a fuse conductor moving perpendicular to said fuse axis, with one wall of said slots being convex;

means for coupling an electrical conductor to said stacked plates at said one end;

first clamping means fixed to each of said plates at one side of said slots;

second clamping means fixed to each of said plates at the other side of said slots; and

third clamping means engaging said first and second [clamping means for drawing said first and second clamping means together and narrowing said slots and closing the open end of said slots for clamping and retaining the fuse conductor therein.

3. In a fuse clip for a fuse holder or the like, the combination of:

a plurality of conducting plates with an intermediate right-angle bend and stacked together at one end and disposed along a fuse axis in spaced relation at the other end thereof, said plates having aligned open ended siots at said other end with the slots disposed to receive a fuse conductor moving perpendicular to said fuse axis;

means for coupling an electrical conductor to said stacked plates at said one end; and

clamping means carried on said plates at each side of said slots for drawing the walls of said slots together and simultaneously closing the open end of said slots for clamping and retaining the fuse conductor therein.

4. In a fuse clip for a fuse holder or the like, the combination of:

a plurality of conducting plates with an intermediate right-angle bend and stacked together at one end and disposed along a fuse axis in spaced relation at the other end thereof, said plates having aligned open ended slots at said other ends with the slots disposed to receive a fuse conductor moving perpendicular to said fuse axis;

means for coupling an electrical conductor to said stacked plates at said one end;

first clamping means fixed between said plates at one side of said slots and maintaining said spaced relation;

second clamping means fixed between said plates at the other side of said slots and maintaining said spaced relation; and

third clamping means engaging said first and second clamping means for drawing the walls of said slots together.

5. In a fuse clip for a fuse holder or the like, the combination of:

a plurality of conducting plates disposed along a fuse axis in spaced parallel relation at one end thereof,

said plates having aligned open ended slots at said one end with the slots disposed to receive a fuse conductor moving perpendicular to said fuse axis; and ci amping means carried between said plates at each side of said slots for maintaining said spacing of said plates and for drawing the walls of said slots together and clamping a conductor therebetween and closing the open ends thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 860,057 7/07 =Pogue 339263 X 1,669,337 5/28 Iler 339109 1,927,780 9/33 Anderson 292-251 2,254,914 9/41 R-ugg 200-466 2,301,790 11/42 Pierce et al 339266 2,911,609 11/59 Burtt et a1. 339258 X 2,931,004 3/60 Wood 339266 X FOREIGN PATENTS 565,045 10/44 Great Britain. 705,758 3/54 Great Britain.

JOSEiI-I D. SEERS, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A FUSE CLIP FOR USE IN HOLDING A FUSE OR THE LIKE, THE COMBINATION OF: A PLURALITY OF CONDUCTING PLATES LOCATED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER ALONG A FUSE AXIS, SAID PLATES HAVING ALIGNED OPEN ENDED SLOTS THEREIN WITH THE SLOTS DISPOSED TO RECEIVE A FUSE CONDUCTOR MOVING PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FUSE AXIS; A FIRST COUPLING MEMBER FASTENED TO EACH OF SAID PLATES ON ONE SIDE OF SAID SLOT; A SECOND COUPLING MEMBER FASTENED TO EACH OF SAID PLATES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID SLOT; AND MEANS FOR BRINGING SAID COUPLING MEMBERS TOGETHER CLAMPING THE FUSE CONDUCTOR IN THE SLOTS AND CLOSING THE OPEN ENDS THEREOF. 